Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALDENDO’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALDENDO’, particularly characterized by having lilac shaded and slightly striped flowers, 1 to 2 peduncles, an inflorescence that is long and sturdy, leaves that are narrow and oblong, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phalaenopsis hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PHALDENDO’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘PHALDENDO’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 60 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivar in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 12 to 20 cm to over 60 cm. The leavesmay be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petals, called the labellum, arethree-lobed and are often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellow,and red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots which arisefrom the lower bracts of the inflorescence. The resulting plants aredetached from the mother plants and may be planted in a suitablesubstrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘PHALDENDO’ is particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique lilac shaded and slightly striped flowers,economical propagation by tissue culture, rapid growth, and a plantdimension suitable for packaging and shipping to the market.

‘PHALDENDO’ is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by theinventor in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘PHALDENDO’ originated from a cross made in April2003 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands. The female parent is a Phalaenopsispot plant named ‘01-1074’ (unpatented), while the male parent is a whitePhalaenopsis pot plant named ‘21067-0001’ (unpatented). A single plantwas selected in April 2003 and has been asexually reproduced repeatedlyby meristem tissue culture in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands over a 5-yearperiod. The new variety has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics through successive asexual propagations.

Asexual reproduction of ‘PHALDENDO’ by tissue culture was firstperformed in September 2010 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands and hasdemonstrated that the new cultivar is firmly fixed and retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have been applied for in Europeon Apr. 25, 2014. ‘PHALDENDO’ has not been made publicly available orsold anywhere in the world more than one year prior to the filing dateof this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands.

-   -   1) Lilac shaded and slightly striped flowers;    -   2) 1 to 2 peduncles;    -   3) Inflorescence is long and sturdy;    -   4) Shape of the leaf is narrow and oblong; and    -   5) Plants are propagated by meristem tissue culture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, budsand foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotographs are of a 50-week old plant grown in a greenhouse inBleiswijk, The Netherlands in June 2015.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds and foliageof ‘PHALDENDO’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHALDENDO’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the leaves of ‘PHALDENDO’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHALDENDO’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inBleiswijk, The Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 50-week oldplants which were planted from a nursery tray in 12 centimeter pots andgrown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continuedby a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks ina greenhouse of 21° C. Observations were made in June 2015. Colorreadings were taken under 4-6000 lux natural light in the greenhouse.Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid.        -   Common name.—Phalaenopsis.        -   Variety name.—‘PHALDENDO’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-1074’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘21067-0001’            (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Meristem tissue culture.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time (time to produce a finished flowering plant).—48            to 50 weeks for a 12 cm pot.        -   Growth habit of peduncle.—Standard, green leaves, raceme to            panicle.        -   Height (including pot, including inflorescence).—72.0 cm to            82.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—45.0 cm to 50.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Strong.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Green-greyed-colored roots with branching            lateral roots having green-greyed-colored root tips.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 7 to 8 leaves are            produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 24.0 cm            to 26.0 cm. Width: 7.5 cm to 8.5 cm. Shape: Oblong (see            enclosure 1a). Base shape: Very elongated. Apex: Unequal            obtuse. Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from the            horizontal position): Between 40 degrees and 70 degrees.            Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower            surface: RHS 146B. Texture: Rough. Thickness: 3.0 mm to            4.0 mm. Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of the midvein:            Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower surface: RHS 146A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—1 to 2.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—12 to 18.        -   Length.—61.0 cm to 71.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—6.0 mm to 7.0 mm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright.        -   Texture.—Slightly rough.        -   Color.—Mix of green (RHS 147B) and brown /greyed-purple (RHS            200A/187A), towards the inflorescence a mix of lighter green            (RHS 146A) and lighter brown (RHS 200B).        -   Internode length.—80.0 mm to 90.0 mm.        -   Callosities.—None.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, raceme to panicle            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 300.0 mm to            350.0 mm. Diameter: 4.8 mm to 5.3 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11            months after planting in a 12 cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 58.0 mm to 63.0 mm. Diameter: 7.8 mm to            8.3 mm. Depth of lip: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 5 to 12 weeks.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flower bud.—Average size: Large. Length: 2.1 cm to 2.3 cm.            Width: 1.8 cm to 2.0 cm. Shape: Egg shaped. Color: Mix of            greyed-purple (RHS 186C), greyed-red (RHS 182B) and green            (RHS 145B and 145C).        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex:            Rounded and slightly asymmetric. Margin: Entire. Length            (from base to tip): 37.0 mm to 39.0 mm. Width: 44.0 mm to            46.0 mm. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic            color: White (RHS 155C) striped (RHS 78D). Over color: Light            purple (RHS 84C). Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS            155C) striped (RHS 78D). Over color: Light purple (RHS 84C).        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Mucronate and sometimes            emarginated. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 37.0            mm to 39.0 mm. Width: 44.0 mm to 46.0 mm. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS 155C)            striped (RHS 78D). Over color: Light purple (RHS 84C). Lower            surface: Basic color: White (RHS 155C) striped (RHS 78D).            Over color: Light purple (RHS 84C).        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Margin: Entire. Apex: Obtuse            and slightly asymmetric. Length (from base to tip): 38.0 mm            to 40.0 mm. Width: 23.0 mm to 25.0 mm. Color (when fully            opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS 155C)            striped (RHS 78D). Over color: Light purple (RHS 84C) and            yellow-green towards center of the flower (RHS 145D). Lower            surface: Basic color: White (RHS 155C) striped (RHS 78D).            Over color: Light purple (RHS 84C) and yellow-green towards            center of the flower (RHS 145D).        -   Labellum (lip).—Margin: Entire. Whiskers: Present. Length of            whiskers: Medium (10.0 mm to 12.0 mm). Color of whiskers:            Mix of yellow-orange (RHS 14A) and orange (RHS 26B).            Pubescence on the lip: Absent.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the            International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of            Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate.            Length: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm. Width: 13.0 mm to 15.0 mm.            Color: Yellow-orange (RHS 17A), greyed-orange (RHS 172C) and            a touch of red (RHS 36C).        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Trullate. Length: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm.            Width: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm. Color: Yellow-orange edge (RHS            14A), light red in the middle (RHS 36A and 37D) and orange            (RHS 26B).        -   Callus.—Average size: Medium. Height: 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm.            Length: 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm. Width: 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Color:            Yellow-orange (RHS 17A) dotted greyed-orange (RHS 171C).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present.        -   Column.—Length: 7.0 mm to 9.0 mm. Diameter: 6.0 mm to            7.0 mm. Color: Light purple (RHS 78B) and white top (RHS            155C).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Size: 0.9 mm to 1.1 mm. Color:            Yellow-orange (RHS 22A).        -   Ovary.—Part of the pedicel with small ribs towards the            column. Length: 7.0 mm to 9 0 mm. Diameter: 2.3 mm to 2.5            mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 27.0 mm to 29.0 mm. Diameter: 2.5 mm to            2.7 mm. Color: From the inflorescence dark green (RHS 146A)            and faded towards the flower to lighter green (RHS 145A to            145C); close to the flower light purple (RHS 75D).-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of 15° C. and a    high temperature about 30° C.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘PHALDENDO’ differs from male parent variety ‘21067-0001’ (unpatented)in that ‘PHALDENDO’ has a shaded and slightly striped flower with anorange lip, whereas ‘21067-0001’ has an even flower with a yellow lip.Additionally, ‘PHALDENDO’ has a longer plant than ‘21067-0001’.

‘PHALDENDO’ differs from commercial variety ‘PHALBISYK’ (unpatented) inthat ‘PHALDENDO’ has a shaded and slightly striped flower and an evenapical lobe of the lip, whereas ‘PHALBISYK’ has a shaded flower and apartially dotted apical lobe of the lip. Additionally, ‘PHALDENDO’ hasstriped lateral sepals, whereas ‘PHALBISYK’ has dotted lateral sepals.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHALDENDO’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.